Coin collecting means



April 12, 1938. I c -r com COLLECTING MEANS Filed Nov. 12,, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESS I Patented Apr. 12, 1938 UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE 23 Claims.

The invention aims to provide new' and improved means to facilitate collection of coins from parking meters orother-slot machines, without the necessity 'of providing them' with coin-retain- .5 ing boxes or the .like'to be manually emptied,

and without danger of losing any of the coins.

In carrying out the above end, a further'object is to make novel provision whereby the coins cannot he -released from the slot machine until the collection device is completely in coin-receiving position, 'and whereby said collecting device cannot be moved from said coin-receiving position as long as the coin discharge chute of the machine is open. I

lection receptacle. from which none of the colsaid receptacle being,opened only by a previously designated omcial, to whose office the various collectors carry the collection receptacles in which they have collected the coins.

. With the foregoing and minor objects in view, the invention resides in the novel subject mat-' ter hereinafter described and claimed, description being accomplished by reference to the accompanying drawings. I

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a parking meter-embodying a supporting post having Drovision for connecting a collection receptacle therewith.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on line 2- 2 of Fig. 1, cutting also through the portion of the collection receptacle which carries a key to release'the coins and receives said coins as they discharge from the meter.

Fig. 3- is a fragmentary elevation of the metersupporting post and parts carried thereby.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 2 .but showing a modification. N

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view on line H of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is ,a fragmentary disassembled perspective view. 1

The construction selected for illustration in the present application, will be rather specifically described, with. the understanding, .however,'that variations may be made within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Figures 1 m4 will first be described.

The. parking meter! includes a supporting post I having an inset block 1 near its lower end and ilush with its periphery, said post 6', exclusive of the block I and the base 8,. being formed from a length of 'pipe. Within the post 6 is avertical 55 coin-retaining chute 8 into which the coins in- A still further aim is to provide a novel colserted at l into the parking meter 5, fall afteri they have performed their duty. The lower end of the coin-retaining chute 9 is suitably connected at It with the upper end of the block 1, and this block is provided with a coin discharge chute I2, the upper portion it of which may well be disposed vertically while the remainder of said chute i2 declines through the outer face of said block I. A gate i4 is provided to normally retain the coins I in the retaining chute 9 and the communicating upper portion l3 of the discharge chute l2, and a suitable lock i6 is provided-for opening said gate when the lock barrel I1 is ro- 4 tated in one direction andfo'r later closing said gate when said barrel is rotated in the other direction. When the gate I4 is opened, the coins discharge by gravity from the machine but they are directly received in a collection receptacle l8.

-The collection receptacle I8 is preferably in 'the form' of a heavy sack having a closure head i9 to abut the outer side of the block I, said head is having a coin inlet chute for regis- J tration with the coin discharge chute l2 and being provided with a manually rotatable key 2i for use in operating the lock is to open the gate H. The key 2| is appropriately swiveled at 22 in a portion of the head IS, the spacing of the key from the chute 20 corresponding to the spacing of the key-hole 23 from the chute l2. Thus, when the head'l9 is properly placed against the outer side-of the block I with the key 2| inserted into the key-hole 23, said key may be rotated to open the gate ll, allowing. discharge of the coins l5 through the chutes i2 and 20 into .the receptacle 'or sack It. Like all rotary cylinder locks, the lock l6 locks the key 2! against removal until the lock cylinder i1 is returned to locked position. Thus, as long as the cylinder l1 stands in the position at which the gate I4 is open, the key 2| cannot be withdrawn and consequently said key then locks the head l9 to the block I. 'Turning the key to again close the gate 14,.permits withdrawal of said key from the lock and disconnection of the head l9 from the block I, the coins at that time, however, being within the receptacle orsack ll.

As in other similar locks, the key cannot be head I9. After the key 2| is started into the keyhole 23, said key cannot be completely inserted to lock-turning position,.until the rib is positioned to enter the groove 24, and when these elements 24 and 25 are thus engaged, they prevent turning of the head l9 upon the key 2|. There is thus no possibility of opening the gate M with the key 2| and swinging the head I9 aside to discharge the coins at one side of said head instead of into the chute 20 thereof.

Whether the collection receptacle I8 be of the form herein disclosed or of other suitable construction with a rigid key-carrying portion to abut a similar portion of the slot machine, I prefer that said receptacle be provided with a self-closing gate26 to prevent discharge of coins therefrom through the inlet chute 20, said gate however to be opened under the weight of the coins entering the receptacle. I have illustrated a light spring 21 for moving the gate 26 about its pivot 28, to closed position, and at 29 have illustrated-a guard for said gate.

When the collection receptacleis in the form of a sack, the head I9 is provided with a neck 30 around which the mouth 3| of said sack, is contracted, and a band 32 is provided to hold said mouth upon said neck, the ends of the band being preferably connected by a seal 33,- although a lock could, of course, be employed if desired.

It will be seen from the fciegoing that the invention affords easily operable and safe means for collecting coins from a plurality of machines into a single receptacle, without danger of loss or petty larceny. The coins cannot be discharged until the key 2| is properly inserted and rotated;

' this cannot be done until'the head H! is comthrough the chute 20.

pletely in coin-receiving position; said'head cannot be turned aside upon the key 2| as a pivot while the latter is in gate-releasing position; said key locks the head to the machine while the gate l4 stands open; turning the key to such a position as to allow removal of the head, first closes the gate I l, and when the collecting receptacle is finally disconnected from the machine, the gate 26 prevents the discharge of any coins When the collector has covered his route, he takes the filled collection receptacle to the proper o'flicer who breaks the seal 33 (or releases a corresponding lock) and properly counts and deposits the coins.

In Figs. 4, 5, and 6, the block 1 inset in the 7 post 6* is of cylindrical form, the lock ||i for operating the gate I4, is disposed at one side of the coin-discharge chute l2, and two sockets 24 are. formed in said block at the other side of said chute I2 The collection head I9 carrying the key 2| is provided with two locating pins 25 for reception in the sockets 24 to prevent complete insertion of the key until said pins are completely received in said sockets and to prevent turning of the head l9 about the key as a pivot, after the gate I I has been opened.

The head l9 is provided with a coin inlet chu e 2|) communicating with a flexible metal hose l8 'which extends from and virtually forms part of the collectionreceptacle l8 A suitable normally locked or sealed door (not shown) may be employed for removing the collected coins from the'receptacle.

0 It is preferable that the head H] or l9 be of the general form shown, that is, that said head be provided with an inclined major portion through which the coin slot 2|! or 20 passes, and .with a vertical upwardly projecting flange por- -and a rib 25 on the block-engaging face of the tion through which the key 2| or 2| passes, said key having its lock-engaging portion projecting forwardly from said flange portion and having its handle behind said'flange portion, said lock-engaging portion of the key when inserted into the key-hole, serving to initially position the head with respect to the machine from which the coins are to be collected.

The details disclosed are preferably followed but attention is again invited to the possibility of making variations within the scope of the invention as claimed. Attention may also be definitely invited to the fact that the invention is not restricted to parking meters but is useable with various other kinds of slot machines.

I claim:----

1. In a means for collecting coins from a machine having a coin discharge chute which opens through its exterior; a gate within the machine normally preventingdischarge of coins through said discharge chute, a key-actuated lock carried by the machine and having a key-hole which opens through the exterior of said machine,said lock being operatively connected with said gate for positively opening the latter when the lock key is rotated in one direction and for again positively closing and re-locking said gate when the key is'rotated in the other direction, a coin collecting receptacle having a rigid portion to abut the machine, said rigid portion of said receptacle having a coin inlet chute to register with said coin discharge chute of the machine, and a manually rotatable key swivelled in said rigic portion of said receptacle for reception in said key-hole, said key being rotatable in one direc- 1 tion to open said gate and connect said receptacle with the .machine, and being rotatable in the other direction to again positively close and re-lock said gate and disconnect said receptacle from the machine.

2. In a means for collecting'coins from a machine having a coin discharge chute which opens through its exterior; a gate within the machine normallypreventing discharge of coins through said discharge chute, a key-actuated lock car-.

ried by the machine and having a key-hole which opens through the exterior of said machine, said lock being operatively connected with said gate for positively opening the latter when the lock key is rotated in one direction and for again positively. closing and re-locking said gate when the key is rotated in'the'other direction, a coin collecting sack having a rigid closure head to abut the machine, said head having a coin inlet chute to registerwith said coin discharge chute of the machine, and a manually rotatable key swiveled in said head for reception in said keyhole, said key being rotatable in one direction to positively open said gate and connect said head with the machine, and being rotatable in the other direction to again positively close and relock said gate and disconnect said head from the machine. I

3, A structure as specified in claim 1; together with means for preventing complete insertion of the key into the key-hole until the receptacle is completely in coin-receiving position.

4. A structure as specified in claim 2; together with means for preventing complete insertion of the key into the key-hole until said head is com- I pletely in coin-receiving position.

.5. A structure as specified in claim 1; said rigid portion of said receptacle and the portion of the machine to abut said rigid portion being provided with'interfitting means to prevent complete insertion of the key until the receptacle is completely in coin-receiving position and to then prevent turning of the receptacle upon the key.

6. A structure as specified in claim 2; said head and the portion of the machine to abut the same being provided with interfitting means to prevent complete insertion of the key until said head is completely in coin-receiving position and to'then prevent turning of the head upon the key.

'7. In a machine from which coins are to be collected, said machine having a coin discharge chute opening through its exterior; a gate within the machine for normally preventing discharge of coins from said coin discharge chute, and a key-actuated look within the machine operatively connected with said gate for positively opening the latter when the lock key is turned in one delivery end of said coin discharge chute, the portion of the'machine through which said coin chute and said key-hole open being adapted to abut an extraneous key-carrying coin collection receptacle,

8. In a machine from which coins are to be collected, said machine having a coin discharge chute opening through its exterior; a gate within the machine for normally preventing discharge of coins from said coin dischargechute, and a key-actuated lock within the machine operatively connected with said gate for positively opening the latter when the lock key is turned in one direction and for again positively closing and relocking said gate when the key' is turned in the other direction, said lock having a key-hole opening through the exterior of the machine near the delivery end of said coin discharge chute, the portion of the machine through which said coin chute and said key-hole open being adapted to abut an extraneous key-carrying coin collection receptacle and having means to engage a portion of the receptacle to prevent complete insertion of the 'key until the receptacle is completely in coinreceiving position and to prevent turning of said receptacle upon the key while the latter is in the key-hole.

9. In a achine from which coins are to be collected, a supporting post having an internal vertically disposed coin-retaining chute and a coin discharge chute declining from the lower end of said coin-retaining chute to the exterior of the post, agate within saidpost normally preventing discharge of coins through said. discharge chute, and a key-actuated look within said post operatively connected with said gate forpositively opening said gate when the lock keyis turned in one direction and for again positively closing and re-locking said gate when the key is turned in the other direction, said lock having a keyhole which opens through the exterior of the postnear the delivery end oi said coin discharge chute, the

portion of said post through which said discharge or the post, a gate within-said post normally prevlexzting discharge of coins through said discharge c efrom which coins are to be te, and a key-actuated look within said post.

operatively connected with said gate for positively opening said gate when the lock key is turned in one direction and for again positively closing andre-locking said gate when the key is turned in the other direction, said lock having a key-hole which opens through the exterior oi the post near the delivery end of said coin discharge chute, the portion of said post through which said discharge chute and said key-hole open being adapted to abut an extraneous key-carrying coin collecting receptacle and having means to engage a portion of the receptacle to prevent complete insertion of the key until the recptacle is completely in coin-' receiving position and to prevent turning of said receptacle upon the key while the latter is in the key-hole.-

11.'A structure as specified in claim 9; said portion of said post consisting of an inset block carrying said lockand gate, said block containing said coin discharge chute and being connected with said coin;retaining chute.

12. A structure as specified in claim 10; said portion of said post consisting of an inset block carrying said lock andgate, said block containing said coin discharge chute and being connected 'with said coin-retaining chute.

13. In a device for collecting coins from a maopening through said rigid portion, and a normally rotatable key swiveled in said rigid portion and having its lock-engaging portion visibly projecting therefrom near the inlet end of said coin chute, said key being adapted for connecting the receptacle with the machine and for releasing the coins from the latter.

14. A structure as specified in claim 13; said rigid portion of said receptacle being provided with means to engage part of the machine to prevent complete insertion of the key until the receptacle is completely in coin-receiving position and to then hold saitl receptacle against turning upon the key.

15. A structure as specified in claim 13; said receptacle being provided with a self-closing gate to prevent discharge of coins from said receptacle through said chute, said gate being releasable by the weight of the coins entering the receptacle through said chute.

16. In a device for collecting coins from a machine, a collecting sack having a rigid closure 17. A structure as specified in claim 16; said; I head being provided with means to engage part of the machine to prevent complete insertion of the key until the head is completely in coin-receiving position and to then prevent turning of said head upon the key.

18. A structure as specified in claim 16; said head being provided with a self-closing gate to prevent discharge of coins from the sack through said chute, said gate being releasable by the weight of coins entering the sack through said chute. v

19. A structure as specified in claim 16; said head having a sealed connection with the sack .head to abut part of the machine, said headbeand being provided with means 'to prevent discharge of coins through said chute.

chute, said key being adapted for connecting the head with the machine and for releasing the coins from the latter, and a collection receptacle embodying a flexible metal hose secured to said collection head in communication with said coinreceiving chute thereof.

22. In a device for collecting coins from a machine, a head to be moved horizontally into collecting position, saidhead having an inclined major portion and also having a flange portion projecting "upwardly from the upper front end of said major portion, said" major portion and said flange portion having a vertical front side to abut the machine when the head is horizontally moved intoreceiving position, said major portion having an inclined coin slot leading from said front side through its rear end, said flange portion having a horizontal opening extending therethrough, a key extending through and swiveled in said opening, said key having a lock-engaging portion at its front end projecting forwardly from said flange portion-and havin a handle at its rear end disposed behind said flange portion, and

means connected with said head for receiving the coins descending through said slot.

23. A structure as specified in claim 22; said head having a forward projection on said vertical front side thereof to engage the machine and prevent turning of the head about the key when said head is in collection position.

' CHARLIE KLEMT. 

